With over three decades of leadership in the South African events industry, Carol has helped shape the landscape of exhibitions, venues, and events, from managing iconic venues to leading RX Africa to success. In this exclusive Q&A, Carol shares her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and her advice for the next generation of women in the industry.

1. YOU’VE BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN THE MICE INDUSTRY FOR MANY YEARS. TAKE US BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN – HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY IN EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS START? I arrived in South Africa 30 odd years ago leaving behind a career in Radio in the UK. I was desperate to travel the world, and I was looking for a new challenge. I started with Systems Exhibitions and ran my first show, The Great Safari Show with 30 exhibitors and 5000 visitors. From there I continued to run & launch shows covering many different industry sectors both Trade & Consumer Events. I was also a director of the original Kyalami Exhibition Centre before it’s much-needed facelift that you see today. Over the years I have been involved in venues, managing the Dome for 23 years, managing Moses Mabhida Stadium in the early days, and with Rai I was part of the development team of the CTICC. I have had various partners over the years from Rai based in the Netherlands to Thebe Investment Corporation (South Africa’s oldest BEE Company) and now with RX Africa. Travel is a personal passion and exhibitions & events are undoubtedly in my blood. Every day is different.


2. LOOKING BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT THAT SHAPED YOUR CAREER AS A LEADER IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN EVENTS INDUSTRY? I am an entrepreneur at heart, and this industry is so fast-paced and fluid that the energy suited me. I love conceptualising ideas and then breathing life into them. Equally, turning the proverbial white elephant (the Dome) into a successful venue was quite exciting. I also enjoy taking on an event or company that is failing and turning it around. It’s a very rewarding industry, but it can be tough, so there are many defining moments—not just one.


3. AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RX AFRICA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OR MILESTONES YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? I am not one to look back but rather to look forward, so I am sure there are many events or moments that I or we are proud of, but one thing that stands out is that during COVID I kept my core staff and continued to pay them their full salaries. We were only able to do this as I had taken out communicable disease insurance many years ago whilst travelling throughout Africa, thinking this could happen one day. Who knew? It also meant that my retirement plan was delayed for another 5 years. Keeping staff motivated during lockdown was a little trickier, so we did many virtual events just to keep connected to our clients and to ensure our staff still had purpose. I have the most amazing people who are committed, hardworking & passionate, and I am so proud of them. I love to see people grow within the company but that go on in later life to start their own businesses.


4. THE EVENTS AND EXHIBITION SPACE HAS SEEN TREMENDOUS CHANGE, ESPECIALLY POST-COVID. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU’VE HAD TO NAVIGATE IN RECENT YEARS? I think changing the mindset of our staff & customers post-COVID that data-driven decisions help us to grow not only our business but that of our customers. There was initial concern that live events were a thing of the past when it couldn’t be further from the truth. Digital adoption enhances our value proposition. People still want to do business with people they like, know, and trust. Data helps us gain greater insight to ensure our offerings are relevant.


5. YOU’VE LONG BEEN A MENTOR AND TRAILBLAZER FOR WOMEN IN EVENTS. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THIS SPACE OR TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES? It’s simple, believe in yourself & work hard. Nothing comes easy. There will be people in your life who say “you can’t do it” but you can. Don’t be shy to ask questions or ask for help. Have the courage of your convictions and always follow through. You may have 10 ideas and only one lands but sometimes that’s all you need. If it doesn’t work, don’t worry about it, move on. Better to try than not. However, make educated decisions coupled with trusting your instincts. Do your homework & research before embarking on a project. Do a budget. Is there a willing buyer and seller? If there is, then you have a recipe for success. I was told by one of my Career Guidance Counselors that I should stay home and have children as I would never amount to anything. Thankfully that was a long time ago and things have changed dramatically. Although it was insulting to me when I was wanting to carve a career, it also lit a fire that I think helped give me the drive & determination that I still have.


6. WHAT’S YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE, AND HOW DO YOU STAY GROUNDED WHILE MANAGING SUCH A DYNAMIC AND DEMANDING PORTFOLIO? I like to empower people to succeed. Of course, with empowerment comes accountability. I encourage entrepreneurship as that ensures the creative juices are flowing & calculated risks can be taken. I am always there in a crisis, and if they need help, my door is always open. I am a hard taskmaster in that we work to a certain standard, so mediocrity is not an option, but this instils a sense of pride in both the staff and their shows. I believe I am down to earth and calm under pressure, but my team may say something else (lol).


7. RX AFRICA HAS BEEN BEHIND SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST ICONIC EXHIBITIONS. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR TEAM KEEP INNOVATING AND STAYING AHEAD OF INDUSTRY TRENDS? I believe we have the best people with the best ideas and the know-how & determination to get the job done. Creating events and seeing them come to life is in our DNA. We infiltrate the industries we work in to ensure we have in-depth knowledge of that industry to ensure we meet the needs of our customers. We even develop trend reports for these industries and share those insights with our customers.


8. YOU’VE RECEIVED NUMEROUS ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITIONS – HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING HONOURED AS AN INDUSTRY LEGEND, AND WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY? I think when you're younger receiving awards means so much, you are growing, and to get recognition whilst you are on an upward trajectory is so rewarding. I think when you have been doing it as long as I have, I prefer to watch my staff get the recognition, and that gives me so much pride. If I can inspire other people to succeed, then my work is done.


9. OUTSIDE OF THE BOARDROOM AND EVENT HALLS, TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CAROL WEAVING – A FUN FACT OR HIDDEN PASSION? I am somewhat of a contradiction. I love socialising, I love travel, I love Formula 1, I am an adrenaline junkie, and have pretty much done it all from skydiving, bungee jumping, fighter jet flying, shark diving, etc., to being a homebody. I love peace & quiet and spend quiet time doing LEGO. 1


10. FINALLY, WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE BEHIND FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN IN MICE, AND WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU ON THE HORIZON? That you can do anything you put your mind to if you work hard and believe in yourself. Never give up and make sure whatever you do, enjoy every second. Such a cliché, but if you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life. As for what’s next, we will see. I will slow down at some point, and I have no doubt that I will know when that time comes. It’s not yet, that’s for sure. Even when I do slow down, I have no doubt I will have my finger in a few other projects.